How much does a geography teacher make?
The median geography teacher in the United States earns $97,590 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all geography teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1064.
Geography teacher salary range
Pay for geography teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $52,550 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $165,460. The average (mean) wage of $102,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,550 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $74,690 | |
| Median (50th) | $97,590 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $123,900 | |
| 90th percentile | $165,460 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for geography teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1064), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Geography teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Geography teachers earn the most in California at $146,040 a year, and the least in Nebraska at $72,300. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $146,040 | 280 |
| Oregon | $113,500 | 180 |
| Vermont | $107,790 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $105,470 | 40 |
| Maryland | $103,430 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $101,870 | 60 |
| Illinois | $100,790 | 140 |
| New York | $100,420 | 200 |
| Texas | $99,510 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,120 | 220 |
| Minnesota | $95,890 | 120 |
| Washington | $90,550 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $89,060 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $86,790 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $85,810 | 80 |
| Georgia | $85,420 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $84,630 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $84,170 | 50 |
| Missouri | $83,530 | 40 |
| Indiana | $82,830 | 70 |
| Arizona | $82,510 | 110 |
| Michigan | $81,380 | 80 |
| Ohio | $81,290 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $81,220 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $78,710 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $78,540 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $75,130 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $72,300 | 40 |
State median wages for geography teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1064), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for geography teachers
The BLS projects employment of geography teachers to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for geography teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a geography teacher
The typical entry-level education for geography teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a geography teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $146,040) and the lowest (Nebraska, $72,300) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,330 people work as geography teachers in the United States. At $97,590 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Geography teacher salary FAQ
How much does a geography teacher make an hour?
Geography teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $97,590.
What is the highest geography teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of geography teachers earn more than $165,460 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a geography teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a geography teacher is $97,590. The average (mean) wage of $102,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a geography teacher a well paid job?
At $97,590 a year, a geography teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,330 people work as geography teachers in the United States.
Which state pays geography teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for geography teachers at $146,040 a year. Oregon ($113,500) and Vermont ($107,790) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a geography teacher a good career?
Employment of geography teachers is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a geography teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for geography teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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